SixtyAndMe.com has a post on 5 Life Changing Books That Helped Me to Find Authenticity, Gratitude, and Meaning:
Journal of a Solitude, by May Sarton (1973)I've read those first two that are in bold print. I agree that May Sarton's book is life-changing, but I'm not a fan of Peale. I have the Steinbeck book on my to-be-read shelf, and I guess I should move it up in the queue. I've never heard of the other two books, and the author of this article describes them as books on developing writing ability. I'll pass on them.
The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale (1952)
Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg (1988)
East of Eden, by John Steinbeck (1952)
Story Engineering, by Larry Brooks (2011)
Posts
I've read everything Sarton wrote I think. While I really liked Journal of a Solitude I think the one that impacted me most was As We Are Now. Not interested in Peale but I really should read East of Eden by Steinbeck.
ReplyDeleteSarton's a treasure!
DeleteI've read 3 of those books. I enjoy May Sarton and Natalie Goldberg. I've read Gapes of Wrath, and I don' know if I'd classify it as life changing, not as much as the other 2 I have read. Can't wait to hear what you think about it. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI remember finding Grapes of Wrath affecting when I read it, and it has stuck with me more than most books have. I'm looking forward to East of Eden.
DeleteI must not read enough, because I have read some Steinbeck, and am not a fan of Peale, but have never heard of the others. I think any book that affects you in some way is worth reading. And any book that affects you to the point you are truly changed as a result of it, is worth being on YOUR list.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking the 2 books on writing might only be life-changing for writers -and then not even for all of them- so I consider this list too idiosyncratic to be generally applicable. There might be books that would more belong on a broader list, likely to be life-changing for a wider readership. It'd be interesting to see if there was a list of 5 books that would get more general agreement as "life-changing".
DeleteNever heard of Journal of Solitude. That sounds interesting. I read Writing Down The Bones and it was good, but I was a writing major in college. Unless you're a writer I'd pass on the two writing books. Saw the movie East of Eden and it was good, so I imagine the book is probably even better. But this seems like a very personal list. Everyone is so different--would be interesting to ask thousands of people that question and see which books popped up more than once--LOL!
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree. I think it'd make a fun project to ask that question and then make a list of the most popular answers. Now that's a list I'd read from :)
Delete